Discover the ultimate Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe, a dish designed for busy weeknights that delivers incredible flavor without the fuss. This simple yet satisfying meal is perfect for anyone craving a delicious and budget-friendly option that everyone in the family will love.
Key Ingredients for Honey BBQ Chicken Rice:
- For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- For the Honey BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional, for an extra smoky flavor)
- For the Rice:
- 2 cups white rice, rinsed
- 3 cups chicken broth (or water)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt to taste
- For Toppings (Optional but Recommended):
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Thinly sliced green onions
- A dollop of creamy coleslaw
How to Make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice:
This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe is your new weekday superhero! In under 40 minutes, you’ll whip up tender, saucy chicken atop fluffy rice, creating a mouthwatering meal that feels like a weekend treat. Its simplicity, coupled with the rich, savory-sweet flavor of the homemade BBQ sauce, makes it a standout. The combination of tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice sets the stage for a truly satisfying dining experience, making it incredibly enjoyable and quick to prepare.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Honey BBQ Sauce: In a medium saucepan, whisk together all the ingredients for the Honey BBQ Sauce: ketchup, honey, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke (if using). Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir frequently to ensure the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly. Allow it to simmer for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it coats the back of a spoon. Once thickened to your liking, remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the Rice: While the sauce is simmering, prepare your rice. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the rinsed white rice and stir for about 1-2 minutes, toasting it lightly. This step helps to make the rice fluffier. Pour in the chicken broth (or water), add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly, and simmer for about 15-18 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Once cooked, remove from heat and let it steam, covered, for another 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
- Cook the Chicken: While the rice is cooking and the sauce is resting, prepare your chicken. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to cook the chicken in batches.
- Sear and Sauce the Chicken: Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Once the chicken is cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet. Pour about half of the prepared Honey BBQ Sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Stir well to coat all the chicken pieces evenly. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and glaze the chicken, creating that irresistible sticky coating.
- Assemble and Serve: To serve your delicious Honey BBQ Chicken Rice, start by spooning a generous portion of the fluffy cooked rice into serving bowls. Top the rice with the saucy Honey BBQ chicken. Drizzle any remaining sauce from the skillet over the chicken and rice.
- Add Your Favorite Toppings: Now comes the fun part! Elevate your Honey BBQ Chicken Rice with your favorite toppings. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of freshness, add some toasted sesame seeds for a delightful crunch, and garnish with thinly sliced green onions for a subtle oniony bite. For an extra creamy and tangy contrast, a dollop of cool coleslaw is an absolute game-changer. Serve immediately and enjoy this flavor-packed meal!
Why You’ll Love This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice:
This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is an absolute winner for so many reasons! The star of the show is undoubtedly the incredibly tender chicken coated in a luscious, homemade Honey BBQ sauce that’s perfectly balanced between sweet and savory with just a hint of tang. It’s a flavor explosion that will have you going back for seconds, reminding you of your favorite BBQ joint but with the ease of a home-cooked meal.
Beyond the sensational taste, think of the money you’ll save by whipping this up yourself instead of ordering takeout. It’s a fraction of the cost, making it a budget-friendly weeknight staple. Plus, the customizable toppings, like the cooling coleslaw or crunchy sesame seeds, add layers of texture and flavor that truly make this dish special. Forget bland dinners; this Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s as easy to make as it is divine to eat. Give it a try – your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious Honey BBQ Chicken Rice throughout the week. Once the dish has cooled to room temperature, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, you have a few options. For individual portions, you can reheat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. If you’re reheating a larger portion, the stovetop is a great option. Place the chicken and rice in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a tablespoon or two of water or extra BBQ sauce if it seems dry, and stirring occasionally until everything is warmed through. For future meals, you can also freeze portions of the Honey BBQ Chicken Rice in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months. Ensure the container is properly sealed to prevent freezer burn. Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts:
This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can create an unforgettable meal. Its ease of preparation and incredible flavor make it a must-try for any home cook. Gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a delicious, satisfying, and budget-friendly dinner that will become a firm favorite in your recipe rotation.
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together all the ingredients for the Honey BBQ Sauce: ketchup, honey, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke (if using). Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir frequently to ensure the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly. Allow it to simmer for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it coats the back of a spoon. Once thickened to your liking, remove from heat and set aside.1 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- While the sauce is simmering, prepare your rice. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the rinsed white rice and stir for about 1-2 minutes, toasting it lightly. This step helps to make the rice fluffier. Pour in the chicken broth (or water), add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly, and simmer for about 15-18 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Once cooked, remove from heat and let it steam, covered, for another 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.2 cups white rice, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tablespoon butter, Salt
- While the rice is cooking and the sauce is resting, prepare your chicken. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to cook the chicken in batches.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 1 tablespoon olive oil, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Once the chicken is cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet. Pour about half of the prepared Honey BBQ Sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Stir well to coat all the chicken pieces evenly. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and glaze the chicken, creating that irresistible sticky coating.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- To serve your delicious Honey BBQ Chicken Rice, start by spooning a generous portion of the fluffy cooked rice into serving bowls. Top the rice with the saucy Honey BBQ chicken. Drizzle any remaining sauce from the skillet over the chicken and rice.2 cups white rice, 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Now comes the fun part! Elevate your Honey BBQ Chicken Rice with your favorite toppings. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of freshness, add some toasted sesame seeds for a delightful crunch, and garnish with thinly sliced green onions for a subtle oniony bite. For an extra creamy and tangy contrast, a dollop of cool coleslaw is an absolute game-changer. Serve immediately and enjoy this flavor-packed meal!Fresh parsley, Toasted sesame seeds, Thinly sliced green onions, Creamy coleslaw